Nature Bonding for Primary Grades

Connecting with the natural world is vital learning and play for young children.

Nature bonding experiences are vital for preschool and primary-aged children if they are to grow up to be people who take care of the Earth.

"We do not bring nature to life, nature brings us to life." –Philip Sutton Chard

Since the scientific revolution of the 1600s and then the industrial revolution of the 1800s, the EuroAmerican worldview has set human beings apart from the rest of nature. This disconnection, this lack of nature bonding, has acted as a major barrier to ecologically sound and environmentally responsible behaviour, as well as full
physical and mental health
and spiritual fulfillment.

Childhood is the time for developing empathy for all living things, and young children need ample opportunities to make friends with nature. They aren't ready for the enormity of today's global problems, but they can care about the birds and small animals in the school yard and care for plants in the classroom or the school garden.

Doing all we can to help children bond with the natural world when they are young will help develop in them respect for life when they are grown and ensure their keen interest in ecology, environmental solutions, and education for sustainable development in the higher grades.

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in." –Rachel Carson

connect society's rituals — such as Thanksgiving, Halloween, seasonal festivals — to the Earth and nature's rhythms and bounties

experience where their food comes from, and be part of the circle of life (through schoolyard gardens, plants in the classroom, field trips to a local farm to pick fruit or vegetables)

adopt the 3 Rs as a natural ethic (reducing, reusing, recycling — in that order — are more important than ever and must be taught as an ethical behavior that shows respect for the Earth and nature)

CAVEAT — No Environmental Tragedies Before Age 10

Several experts believe we must help young children avoid learning or worrying about environmental tragedies, which are not developmentally appropriate for them. (See David Sobel's wonderful article,
Beyond Ecophobia
which explains that children need time to bond with nature before we ask them to save it.)

If you've ever seen the look on the face of a little boy or girl who asks, "All the animals are disappearing, aren't they?" you'll agree.

Other people, however, are starting to think that the children's sad reactions might be the only thing that will move their parents to action on global warming.

My personal view? Young children still deserve a childhood. They need innumerable nature bonding experiences. They also deserve a viable future on a healthy planet — but that should be the worry of us adults.